Gateway Of India

One of the most prized possessions of the country, the Gateway of India is
situated on the waterfront in South Mumbai. Anyone coming to Mumbai from this
harbor is greeted by the huge monument, which stands as a testimony to the
imperial bygone era of the city. As you pass through the gate from the city
side, the first scene that looms into view is that of the waterfront of South
Mumbai. A popular harbor, it is used by a large number of people for traveling
to the other parts of Bombay, especially the Elephanta Island. The first major
event that took place at the Gateway of India was the passing of the First
Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. They were the last troops of the
British to leave India after independence. The ceremony was conducted on 28th
February 1948.

History

The main idea behind the construction of the Gateway of India was to celebrate
the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay. Sir George Sydenham Clarke,
the then Governor of Bombay, laid down the foundation stone of the monument in
March 1911. However, his plan was approved in 1914 and the reclamations at
Apollo Bundar got completed in 1919. Designed by George Wittet, an architect,
Gateway of India took approximately 4 years (1920 to 1924) to get fully
completed.The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George
V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Darbar in Delhi in December 1911. The
foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1911 by the Governor of Bombay, with
George Wittet's final design sanctioned in August 1914. Between 1915 and 1919
work proceeded on reclamations at Apollo Bunder for the land on which the
gateway and the new sea wall would be built. The foundations were completed in
1920, and construction was finished in 1924. The Gateway was opened on December
...

Architecture

The architecture of the Gateway of India comprises of a huge arch, which is
approximately 26 m in height. The entire structure has been made by using yellow
basalt and reinforced concrete. It has mainly been constructed as per the
Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. One can also find the features of the
Muslim architectural styles that were very much popular in Gujarat in the 16th
century. The top of the monument stands adorned with a central dome, which has a
diameter of 15 m. The construction of the Gateway of India led to the
displacement of the harbor and it had to be completely realigned. The monument
was constructed in the early 20th century, at the astronomical price of 21 lakh
rupees. The major burden of the cost was undertaken by the Government of India.
However, even the 21 lakh rupees could not prove sufficient and the idea of
constructing an approach road from the monument had to be discarded. The
construction work of Gateway of India was undertaken by Gammon India Limited,
established by J C Gammon.